In 2002 my husband bought me a little book which I keep on my desk, I haven’t picked it up in a while but this morning I’m glad I did.

It is such a beautiful, simple little book 6″ square and full of wisdom. Each Saturday on this blog, I am going to choose one page from the book. Each page contains just a few words relating to the title.

I have been making mini albums which I really love to do. The most recent were both gifts for birthday’s for special people in my life.

Both albums were made in the same way. They are both 71/2″ x 41/4″. Each has 6 top loading pocket pages and each has 6 large tags for the pockets.

Making these albums is very rewarding, they make unique gifts. To make each album is relatively easy but the decorating, especially when it is for someone in particular takes time. The blue album took approximately 4 days to decorate, I did quite a bit of die cutting for the flowers and used white muslin as a backdrop for the flowers.

The pink coloured album was made from an Australiana collection of papers and came together easier, although it was the first one I made.

I’m not much into fairies but I do like their little houses. I created this one using mostly Stampin’ UP! products with a few pieces of G45 (see the sunflower peeping over the fence). My favourite part is the pair of hollyhocks by the front gate. Can you spot the little black cat?

I think there are going to be a few more Fairy houses in my future. Although it was a challenge to see how it would all come together, I am really pleased with the result. I am now on the lookout for a glass dome to cover my fairy house to keep out the pixies.

I managed to get a half an hour walk in this morning before the clouds closed over and the rain came.

Autumn morning in the Yarra Valley

It is still very warm for the time of year and I can’t help wondering how long it is going to last. Does this mean winter will be longer than usual too?

Autumn is such an interesting time of year. I collected lots of bits and pieces on my walk. Some gorgeous gumnuts, leaves, and bright red flowers from the gumtrees on my route past the school. The cheeky magpies didn’t seem to be bothered by my presence at all and ventured close as I rummaged through the treasure on the ground. Probably more interested in an unsuspecting worm or grub that might be uncovered.

Although I always look forward to the renewal of spring, I am enjoying this season and all it has to offer.

This unique box stand 5″x 5″ not including base and legs. My box has been decorated using different G45 papers but any good quality paper would do. The basic box is constructed using a heavy bookboard.

I will be running classes in March and April for anyone interested in making one for themselves. Kits for the basic box will be provided.

Photo above shows box open with small buddha (not included in kit) inside. The box is large enough to hold any small ornament that you choose.

Where does the time go? Afternoon already, and I started this post this morning. Of course now the washing is out and the cats are happily sleeping at my feet, the sun has finally shown it’s face, it was dull in Melbourne this morning.

I don’t think I have ever met anyone who doesn’t enjoy receiving a card or letter from a friend. And although recently Australia Post increased their postage costs quite significantly, I decided to increase my snail mail efforts by joining an incentive started by the lovely Shannon West from the Stampin’ UP! Head Offices in Utah called “I’m Bringing birthdays back.”

By joining, I have agreed to send MORE birthday cards than ever before, I really like this challenge. In fact I like it so much that I am not only sending cards for birthdays I am sending cards for any old reason at all, sometimes for no reason at all.

I have been collecting ideas for decorating envelopes on a board I call ‘Snail Mail’ on https://www.pinterest.com/createwithbarb/ who knew there were so many fabulous ideas out there. I fully intend to use some of these ideas in the future. Just imagine receiving something gorgeous in your mailbox, I think I would swoon.

So can I encourage you to send more birthday cards? Think of the pleasure it brings to the recipient. And decorate your envelope too, I sometimes use Washi Tape to decorate mine, simple, quick and easy.

Distressing paper is one of the easiest ways of adding interest and dimension to your cards and scrapbook pages. Some of my card making group are quite sceptical about taking a piece of perfectly good cardstock and ripping up the edges and tearing pieces off, scraping a blade along the edge or even adding some ink. But, let me tell you it makes a huge difference to a card.

I encourage you to give it a try. Even simply running your markers carefully along the edge of your paper can add so much to a simple card. If you look closely at the yellow paper on the above photo, you will see a hint of colour just on the edge. The same affect can be achieved with a sponge dauber, lightly inked or a piece of sponge, choose a colour that enhances or matches your card design.

There are five layers in total, each one has been distressed by scraping the edges with a distressing tool (available from scrapbooking shops), then inked with Stampin’ UP! Soft Suede ink and a sponge dauber, I curled some of the edges round a pencil to create more dimension, and stamped some random script to add interest to my layers. I also added some extra sponging to the paper with Soft suede to take off the brightness of the ‘very vanilla’ cardstock.

I finished the inside of the card to match the front. I think you will agree that small things make a huge difference. Again I have randomly stamped some script and layered in So Saffron paper.

Flowers were purchased on Etsy from Thai Flowers.

All cardstock is Stampin’ UP! Soft suede, Very Vanilla, So Saffron

Stampin’ Dimensionals

Tulle ribbon (retired) Stampin’ UP!

button from Stampin’ UP!

twine Stampin’ UP!

If you enjoyed this post please leave me a comment, I love to hear from you.

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Classes will resume in January 2017

CreateWithBarb

I hold Classes where the emphasis is on casual, relaxing fun. We make Greeting cards, and mini albums. I teach new (and old) techniques and enjoy the company of other creative people. Contact me to join one of my friendly groups.